Crossword Genius

French island has unknown shrub with prickles (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ilex

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'shrub with prickles' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'french island has unknown' is the wordplay.
'french island' becomes 'ile' ('island' in French).
'has' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'unknown' becomes 'x' (algebra).
'ile'+'x'='ILEX'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ilex that I've seen before include "The holm-oak" , "common holly" , "Genus of trees that includes hollies" , "Genus including holly" , "The holly family of trees" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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